September 30, 2017

Washington,
D.C.— A warning from the leaders of the Senate Aging Committee:
Be on the lookout for con artists trying to take advantage of victims in the
wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Bob
Casey (D-PA), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee,
are urging people, particularly older Americans, to be cautious of con artists
who often target vulnerable communities following natural disasters.

Reports from federal agencies such as FEMA, the Federal
Trade Commission, IRS, and others, indicate scammers are calling people in
hopes of stealing money for reasons related to recent hurricanes. Such calls
could be about phony relief funds and charities, fraudulent flood insurance
premiums past due notices, and unlicensed contractors helping with cleanup
efforts who demand payment up-front for work they never do or simply lack the
skills, licenses, and insurance to legally do the work.

“Putting a stop to aggressive and ruthless scams targeted
at older Americans is one of our top priorities on the Senate Aging Committee,”
said Senators Collins and Casey in a joint statement.
“In these times of crisis, criminals will undoubtedly try to take advantage of
those in need. While their actions are despicable, it is best to be diligent
about who you are dealing with over the phone, and to check with your local
officials for reputable sources of aid.”

If you suspect fraud or suspicious activity, please call
your local police department. In addition, you can contact the Senate Aging Committee’s
Fraud Hotline at 1-855-303-9470.

Chris
Aldrich didn’t dream of working for the NHL when he was a child. When he
graduated from Windham High School in 1990, he went to the State Fire Academy
and received EMT certification, intending to become a career firefighter. A
couple of years later, he went to college to become a history teacher. Throughout
it all, however, he was working with hockey teams and in the end, hockey won
out.

Chris Aldrich on the right

“I
thought for sure I was going to be a history teacher,” Aldrich said. But when
the call came from the Boston Bruins, he couldn’t pass it up. “You don’t get
that call very often,” he said. “I thought I’m going to jump on this and see
what happens, see where it takes me.” And it’s taken him far and wide as he
travelled with teams, including a trip to Germany with Team USA. “I’ve
travelled the world because of this job, for free.”

Aldrich
began his career with the Maine Mariners while still in high school. When the
Mariners, a Boston Bruins minor league team, moved to Providence, Aldrich did
too. After five years there, he moved up to the Boston Bruins, working with
them for 10 years. After a management turnover,

Aldrich was looking for change
and had the opportunity to return to Maine to work for the Portland Pirates,
which was affiliated with the Anaheim Ducks. He hoped he’d be back in Maine for
a while, but after just one year the Ducks moved their minor league team to Iowa.
After a season in Iowa, Aldrich ended up in his current position at the Anaheim
Ducks.

Aldrich
said it was connections and support from many people in Windham that helped him
land where he is now. It all began when he was young, and he had the
opportunity to go to games, visit the locker room and meet players with his
friend Billy Anderson, whose dad drove a bus for the Maine Mariners. Those
experiences brought his enjoyment of hockey to a different level, he said.

So
when another friend, Kyle Rickett, who was working with the Mariners on game
nights, asked him if he was interested in working when a spot opened up offering
assistance to the visiting teams, he said yes. And being part of what makes a
game come together was so interesting, he just kept moving forward.

When
Rickett graduated from high school and went into his family’s business, the
head equipment manager Roger Beaudoin offered Aldrich a chance to move to the
home team side. When Beaudoin left, Peter Henderson came on, and asked if
Aldrich was interested in staying. He said yes, and worked with Henderson for
15 years.

“The
connection with Windham was all the way up through. Without any one of those
people, I probably wouldn’t be where I am now. They all played a key role in me
getting to where I’m at,” Aldrich said.

Aldrich
is the equipment manager for the team, meaning he helps take care of any needs
the players might have: new skates, sticks, alterations to equipment, and much
more. “Anything they have on the ice, we’ve directly had some contact with,” he
said.

The
shared experiences, stories and sense of family that exists on a team are part
of what makes the job fun, he said. Travelling has also been a great experience,
though now that he has a 10-year-old child, leaving is more difficult he shared.
“When I first started, it was unbelievable,” he said; adding that he can’t
believe how fast the years have gone by.

Aldrich’s
story illustrates what is possible when you’re willing to follow an unplanned
path. Though it wasn’t at all what he imagined doing when he was a kid, he has
grown to love it, he said. “You meet so many people along the way that give you
advice, and point you in the right direction,” he said. “You have to be willing
to work and maybe relocate, but if you can put the time in, if you can show the
effort, anything is possible.”

Saturday
October 14from 5:30 p.m. to -11 p.m. at 14 Lilac Drive in Windham, Riding To
The Top Therapeutic (RTT) Riding Center will host its 10th Annual
Triple B ~ Boots, Band and BBQ.

Cheers for 10 years will celebrate the Triple B’s decade of raising awareness
and funds for RTT’s riders, horses and programs. This year’s event will
highlight the life changing services that have been made possible because of
the generosity of Triple B guests, sponsors and volunteers during the past
decade. Organizers for the October 14 event have a goal of raising $215,000 to
reach the million dollar mark!

The
evening will feature DennyMike’s mouthwatering barbecue, a Mission Based
Auction, dancing to the live music of local favorite, Under The Covers, a
fantastic raffle, a photo booth, boot contests and door prizes. Michelle
Taylor of 99.9 THE WOLF will return to emcee and auctioneer Elizabeth Holmstrom
will call the unique mission based auction.

This
annual “Party with a Purpose” plays a vital role in RTT’s ability to provide
equine assisted activities and therapies for local children and adults with
disabilities.

Sarah
Bronson, RTT’s Executive Director, shared that “We would not be able to provide
services for people with disabilities as we do - 6 days a week, year round -
without our volunteers and supporters like those who show up for the Triple B!”
Riding To The Top is a community based nonprofit, receives no federal,
state or municipal funding and provides scholarships to over 60% of its
clients.”

Sponsorship
opportunities (deadline is Oct. 2for publication in our program)
and tickets are still available for advance purchase. For sponsorship
information, contact Susan Cole at scole@ridingtothetop.org or 892-2813, X21. Tickets are
$50.00 per person and include dinner, dancing and door prizes. To
purchase tickets call 892-2813 X 21, go to rtt2017tripleb.eventbrite.com, or email info@ridingtothetop.org.

About
Riding to the Top

Founded
in 1993, Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center’s mission is enhancing
health and wellness through equine assisted activities and therapies. Over 250
clients participate annually and are assisted by horses, certified instructors
and volunteers, all specially trained to assist with therapeutic riding,
carriage driving and hippotherapy. RTT is a PATH, Intl. Premier Accredited
Center (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship
International). Located just 5 miles from Portland in Windham, Maine, the
center is located on a 50 acre farm and is the state’s only year round PATH
Intl. accredited program solely dedicated to equine assisted activities and
therapies.

For
more information about client services, volunteering, making a referral or a
gift, please visit us at www.ridingtothetop.org or call 892-2813.